Mini Tornadoes appear over Hobart

A SERIES of tornadoes have hit Hobart as the weather bureau warns of severe storms in southeast Tasmania.

The Bureau of Meteorology says weak tornadoes have been observed in and around the capital and have been included in a warning about destructive winds, heavy rainfall, flash flooding and large hailstones.

"We have had some reports of hailstones and also tornadoes in the southeastern area," the bureau's severe weather forecaster, Matthew Michael said.

"The tornadoes that were reported were very weak in severity and quite short-lived.

"The main focus of the warning is really the strong winds and the hailstones."

The Mercury reports schools have been advised to keep students inside or send them home.

Residents were advised to move their cars under cover and avoid driving, walking or riding through flood water.

Mr Michael said a cold southerly stream producing surface winds of a different temperature to higher winds had produced the rare weather event.